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Harry Lloyd Hopkins

1890–1946

Harry Hopkins, one of the most influential non-elected officials in
American history, became a Settlement House worker in 1912 at
Christodora, where his exposure to the struggles of new immigrants
helped shape his thinking about social reform. Christodora, launched in
1897, was then housed in 143/145/147 Avenue B, and to this day continues
its mission to help alleviate inequities among the underserved. In 1933,
President Roosevelt asked Hopkins to implement the Social Security
Act of 1935, and to direct the Works Progress Administration, which
hired more than 3 million unemployed to rebuild highways, bridges,
public buildings, and parks. During WWII, he was Secretary of
Commerce and FDR's personal representative to London and
Moscow. In 1945, Hopkins helped arrange the Potsdam
Conference for President Truman, who honored him
with the Distinguished Service Medal.